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(God) "-all of which offer, in addition to composition "I Feel A Heartache" are R &B, a taste of rock and alternative pop S P O T L I G H T S P O T L I G H T stone country bedrock. Like Heather that may help the vocalist reach her Myles on Rounder Records, Leigh sounds potential crossover audience. Other note- to the barroom born. Alternately sultry worthy tracks include "Strawberry" and abrasive, she describes herself as an AL3VS "Ain't Nothin' Changed," "Telephone," "ol' hillbilly chick." As such, she's a wel- ECzITEI BY PAUL '/E RNA and "Wickedness." In addition to the come addition to the Nashville country artist's rock and alternative influences, scene. P O P she showcases I(II I-i her formidable opera il PHISH skills on "Memorabilia." An impressive i Ìli ÌiÌÌ`I`;II IIÍ The Story Of The Ghost debut. HLKBIL Hatll,(K J A Z Z PRODUCER: Andy Wallace ANDY SUMMERSNICTOR BIGLIONE Elektra 62297 Strings Of Desire A live act par excellence, Vermont rock RAP PRODUCERS: Andy Summers, Victor Biglione, Eddie King quartet Phish has always done better at A TRIBE CALLED QUEST RCA Victor 09026-63326 the box office than at radio or retail. The Love Movement "Strings Of Desire" finds ex- Police man Accordingly, its albums are not where the PRODUCER: Ummah Andy Summers and pal Victor Biglione band shines (with the exception of the Jive 01241 -41638 dueting on acoustic guitars, blessing a stellar "A Picture Of Nectar "). Recorded Laid -back and to the bone, Quest's fifth, KENNY LATTIMORE HERBIE HANCOCK variety of standards with a singing, danc- to reflect Phish's improvisational and final, album goes far in redeeming its From The Soul Of Man Gershwin's World ing grace. Yet the affair's lighthearted, last by it approach, this latest studio outing is a outing taking down to old-school PRODUCERS: Kenny Lattimore, Colin Gayle PRODUCER: Robert Sadin unassuming character masks some serious mixed bag. At its worst, it sounds like a anorexic drum -and -bass foundations that Columbia 68854 Verve 314 557 797 musicality. From the infectious bop of Diz- flashback to a mid -'70s Yes album occasionally tinker on the border between Kenny Lattimore's sophomore project, Like no one before or since, George zy Gillespie's "Night In Tunisia" to John ( "Guyute "); at its best, the record offers hip -hop and jazz and provide more riffs "From The Soul Of Man," has a song Gershwin reveled in the melting pot Lewis' touching homage "Django," Sum- engaging, harmonically rich tunes that than samples. That leaves extra space for just about every listener. Latti- that is American music: jazz, classical, mers and Biglione conjure a rainbow of stick in the mind ( "Brian And Robert," front and center for the power of love and more pulls out all the creative stops to pop -they are all part of his signature jazz hues. And well -wrought tunes from the Latin -esque "Water In The Sky "). the group's voiceline skills to shine: Q- help showcase his full vocal capacity. sound. We've been blessed with gor- Jobim, Gilberto, and Gismonti add some The latter tracks are good college and Tip's mesmerizing, syncopated flow and Much as he did on his self-titled debut, geous Gershwin records in every low -key Latin spice. Capping the disc is triple-A candidates and long -shot con- his lightly sagacious back -and -forth with Lattimore continues to target many of genre to celebrate the composer's cen- Summers' original "Samba For Counting tenders at rock and pop stations willing to Phife. The first single, "Find A his songs toward both men and tenary this year, but no tribute speaks The Days," and its charm underscores depart from their tight playlists. Despite Way" / "Stepping It Up," "Against The women. A great majority of the tracks, to the essence of the man with more how underrated the guitarist is as a solo Phish's limited commercial potential, the World," and "The Love" showcase Quest's such as "Days Like This," "Trial Sepa- inspired artistry than Herbie Han - talent. A vibrant recording only adds to band can do no wrong in the eyes of its gift for slipping hardcore vibes into expert ration," "Tomorrow," and "I Love You cock's "Gershwin's World." Reflecting the allure of this lovely album, which fans. poperaft. Busta Rhymes' turns in "Step - More Than You'll Ever Know," lay out the title, Hancock spotlights music not should appeal not only to devotees of jazz pin' " and `Busta's Lament" inject hype the intricacies of real '90s relation- only by Gershwin guitar but to fans of folk and roots music. THE CROWN PROJECT but also by those and texture, while "Give Me" (featuring ships from the black male point of who so influenced him: W.C. Handy, Gershwin On Monarch Noreaga) waxes sweetly nostalgic, recall- view The album includes the gospel - James P Johnson, Duke Ellington, and PRODUCER: Mark Gasbarro ing Quest history and implying that the LATIN Monarch 1017 flavored "Well Done," a cover of Maurice Ravel (and he spices up some breakup is amicable just another of life's George Harrison's classic "While My settings with percussion to reflect LAURA PAUSINI Appropriately, the San Francisco-based passages. label initiates a composer -salute series Guitar Gently Weeps," and the duet Gershwin's Latin bent). Hancock's Mi Respuesta PRODUCERS: with George Gershwin, whose 100th birth- "Love Will Find A Way" with Heather supporting cast is stellar, to say the Alfredo Cerruti, Dado Parisini, Laura Pausini Headley from Disney's "The Lion least: The Orpheus Chamber Orches- WEA Latina 24720 day is being celebrated this year with a C O U N T R Y King Catchy, finger -snapping groove -pop per- series of releases and events. There is a II: Simba's Pride." tra accompanies his brilliant improv DEANA CARTER meates the third Spanish album by this pleasing, eclectic jazz undertone to the on Ravel's G Major Concerto; Wayne Everything's Gonna Be Alright Italian songstress as she smartly moves proceedings on 12 Gershwin standards Shorter, James Carter, Eddie Hender- PRODUCERS: Deana Carter, Chris Farren Skynyrd guitars), and a ZZ Top groove on away from being exclusively a purveyor of from the likes of Sandi Patty, the son, and Kenny Garrett add solos; Ste- Christ- Capitol Nashville 21142 "You Still Shake Me. " 'Angels Working teary -eyed romantic ballads. Moreover, ian vie Wonder sings "St. Louis Blues"; music star who delightfully demon- The inside tray sheet of the CD glows in is - Overtime" a substantial little soap Kathy Battle intones the Prelude in C Laura Pausini's distinctive high voice is strates her show -music flair with the the dark (on the first 200,000 pressings opera road tale that even survives a kids' Sharp Minor; and Joni Mitchell wrapped in a more rich and mature deliv- satirical 'By Strauss." With songs only), and that's not the only hot thing chorus. Plus, she does a coy and sensuous embodies "The Man I Love" and ery as she cruises through a nicely bal- arranged for big bands, smaller ensem- about Deana Carter's sophomore album. remake of Melanie Safka's suggestive "Summertime" with inimitable grace anced, 13 -song set that still boasts plenty bles, an inventively scored chorus, and Continuing the same kind of mix eclectic song "Brand New Key," enlisting her best and emotional intelligence. But the of radio -ripe tunes of heightened amorous other singers-including Nashville's Tim of musical styles that made "Did I Shave little -girl voice without sounding cloying. final highlight is Hancock alone: a intentions, including the bouncing leadoff Davis -this CD is loaded with breezy My Legs For This?" so appealing, Carter There's also an added confidence and touching take on the evergreen "Em- single "Emergencia De Amor," the pulsat- work on a master's catalog of evergreens. has Southern Gothic story songs in the maturity to Carter's singing (something braceable You." ing entries "Me Siento Tan Bien" and "Strawberry Wine" vein, a fun track like 4 1998 CAST RECORDING that selling million -plus copies of a debut " Quédate Esta Noche," and the slower - "The Train Song" (featuring Lynyrd album can do). The Wizard Of Oz paced "Felicidadad." PRODUCER: Robert Sher * SARA EVANS TVT 1020 No Place That Far OK, nothing can match the power of the VITAL REISSUES® PRODUCERS: Norco Wilson, Buddy Cannon WORLD MUSIC original 1939 soundtrack performance of RCA 67653 HOSSAM RAMZY /PHIL THORNTON SLOAN more mature, shared vocals round out "The Wizard Of Oz." Before that version As one of the most talented women Immortal Egypt Smeared numbers like "The Good In Everyone" is pulled off the shelf, give a listen to this singers to emerge in country music in the PRODUCERS: Phil Thornton, Hossam Ramzy PRODUCER: Terry Pulliam and the brilliant "G Turns To D." Con- road -show cast album, which happily past two years, Sara Evans has been sur- New World Music 455 Never Records Group/Murderecords 037 tact: 212-675-5008. turns to the movie orchestrations of all the prisingly slow to get country radio play. Estimable Egyptian percussionist and That's beginning to change with the bandleader Hossam Ramzy has dozens of songs (with additional material cut from SLOAN JUNE CHRISTY cur- rent single, the title cut from "No Place discs under his own name, as well as a the film itself). With the advantage of digi- One Chord To Another Gone For The Day; The Song Is June That Far," on which she is starry backup résumé with the likes of tal -era sound, the voices of starring play- PRODUCER: not listed REISSUE PRODUCER: Michael Cuscuna joined by Vince Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones, and ers Mickey Rooney (the Wizard) and Never Records Group/Murderecords 24 Capitol Jazz 7243 95448/55455 Gill. Although not as roots -authentic as Jimmy Page & Robert Plant. On Eartha Kitt (the Wicked Witch) make this Teetering on the brink of stateside Wow, a virtual June Christy-o -rama! The her first RCA album (produced by Pete "Immor- tal Egypt," he links with presentation a worthy companion to the recognition for nearly a decade, Halifax, cool jazz vocalist's fans have been waiting Anderson), the current album glowingly British ambient classic version. Also included are dialogue Nova Scotia's Sloan has finally inveigled for Capitol Jazz to rerelease two of of her showcases her big, versatile voice with an instrumentalist Phil Thornton for a pro- ject that is far better its new age portions with underscoring that should some praise with the poppified AC/DC- best-loved discs, both featuring arrange- impressive collection of first-rate songs. than trappings might suggest. The keep the kids interested as the adults style riffs on this year's "Navy Blues." ments by cool -meister Pete Rugolo- Evans co-wrote five of those 11 songs, grooves and textures are a bit airbrushed, keep them company. Next order of business: reissuing 1993's "Gone For The Day" and "The Song Is including the single, and is probably going yet Ramzy's fine orchestra can't help but inject some "Smeared " head -bopping, fuzz-laden June," both best sellers for the label in to be a country force for some time. One -a real organic substance. affair smacking of early Cheap Trick on 1957 and 1958. Well, the label has song she insisted on getting for this album R & B DGC -and 1997's harmonic, hook-filled trumped pleas and prayers by reissuing is one of Harlan Howard's best composi- NICOLE RENEE "One Chord To Another," on the Enclave both and packaging them with two more tions ever, "Time Won't Tell," which he co- CLASSICAL PRODUCERS: Nicole Renee, others imprint affiliated with EMI, out -of-print items from her catalog, pair- wrote with Beth Nielsen Chapman. (formerly EDGARD VARESE: THE Atlantic 83101 now with Mercury). "Smeared" high- ing' "Fair And Warmer," also from '57, * COMPLETE WORKS DANNI LEIGH ASKO Highly heralded R &B newcomer Nicole lights include the distorted teen cult with the former album and 1960's "Off Ensemble /Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 29 Nights Riccardo Chailly Renee debuts with an album that show- favorites "Underwhelmed" and "I Am Beat" with the latter. Fresh and refresh- PRODUCERS: Michael Knox, Mark Wright PRODUCERS: Andrew Cornall, Chris Pope cases her various skills as a writer, per- The Cancer," though the quartet also ing, all the Christy offerings will have old Decca 70032 Decca/London 289 -460 -208 former, and producer. Like Erykah Badu nods to the Velvet Underground on hearts thumpin' and newcomers totally Danni Leigh has got a lot of hat, a lot of Decca deserves much applause for this and Lauryn Hill, Renee is a well- round- "Left Of Center" and DGC labelmate spellbound by her warm yet modernist attitude -and a pretty good penchant for historic release, the first complete survey ed, accomplished artist who is not con- Sonic Youth on the only minor -key num- vibe. It's hard to pick favorites here from singing honky -tonk. Co- writer of six of the of the orchestral works of Edgard Varèse tent to be pigeonholed as a mainstream ber, "Two Seater." While the rocky the twofers, but the pastoral "It's So album's 11 songs, she has a good grasp of (1883 -1965). An iconoclast of sound, R &B singer. Vocally, her sassy often - "Smeared" sometimes verges on Peaceful In The Country" and the sublime unrav- country history. She also displays good Varèse created towering "sonic sculp- raspy approach is reminiscent of giants eling, Sloan heeds its higher pop calling lacuna of "Lazy Afternoon," both dripping Tina Turner and Chaka Khan. Highlights taste in picking cover songs: Willie Nel- tures," carving them out of raw orchestral on the tight "One Chord To Another," in with '505 cool, are just a few of the high son's "Touch Me," Tommy include "Rockin' Chair," "Cocaine Lane," Collins and texture and pioneering electro /acoustic which Beatlesque structure, piano, and points. A bonanza -pick 'em both up. Merle Haggard's A "Seems Like Yesterday," and "Ugh! "Mixed Up Mess Of Heart," and the Harlan Howard -Kostas (Continued on page 22)

SPOTLIGHT: Releases deemed by the review editors to deserve special attention on the basis of musical merit and /or Billboard chart potential. VITAL REISSUES: Rereleased albums of special artistic, arcnival, and commercial interest, and outstanding collec- ALBUMS tions of works by one or more artists. PICKS (lo. ): New releases predicted to hit the top half of the chart in the corresponding format. CRITICS CHOICES(*): New releases, regardless of chart potential, highly recommended because of their musical merit. MUSIC TO MY EARS (1)): New releases deemed Picks which were featured in the "Music To My Ears" column as being among the most significant records of the year. All albums commercially available in the U.S. are eligible. Serd review copies to Paul Vema, Billboard, 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036. Send country albums to Chet Flippo, Billboard, 49 Music Square W., Nashville, TN 37203. Send Latin albums to John Lannert, 1814 Fern Valley Road, Louisville, KY 40219. Other contributors: Iry Lichtman (Broadway /cabaret/N.Y.); Brad Bambarger (classical /N.Y.); Steve Graybow (jazz/N.Y.); Deborah Evans Price (contemporary Christian/Nashville); Gordon Ely (gospel); John Diliberto (new age).

20 BILLBOARD OCTOBER 31, 1998 www.americanradiohistory.com